Ditcher-scoop assembly



APril 16, 1929. R. R. DowNlE 1,709,466

DITCQER SCOOP ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 3, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l OOOOO'OOOOO 0000000000 April 16, 1929. R. R. DOWNIE 1,709,466

DI TCHER SCOOP AS SEMBLY Filed Jan. 5, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ffavez POef/@x ,paw/al.

Patented Apr. 16, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT REX DOWNIE, OF BEAVER FALLS BOROUGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T XEYSTONE DRILLER COMPANY, A- CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA. Y

DITCHEiB-SCOOP ASSEMBLY.

Application tiled January 3, 1927. Serial No. 158,738.

This invention relates to excavating ma- 1,511,114 dated October 7, 1924, and among other objects, aims to provide a construction for securing the scoop rigidly upon the end of the ditcher stick, while permitting r'eady removal of the scoop and replacement with another of a different size.

'l`he invention may be understood by reference to one illustrative embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the ditcher stick and'scoop viewed from the outer end of the scoop, and showing particularly the scoop bracing means;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, showing the scoop braces and also the scoop attaching means;

Fig. 3 is an elevation 'of the scoop, viewed from the inner or toothed end, and omitting the maj-or part of the ditcher stick;

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig..3;

Fig. 5 is 'a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is ascction Online 6-6 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 7 is a section on line 7-.7 of Fig. 1.

In digging ditches and trenches with-machines ofthe type disclosed in my Patent 1,511,114, itis highly advantageous to construct the ditcher stick and scoop so that the scoop may be removed from the end of the stick and replaced by another scoop of a ditfcrent size better suited for the work to be donc. For example, in digging a narrow trench as for laying pipe, the work may be donc most satisfactorily by a narrow scoop of a width of 20 in. or under. On the other hand, when excavating for a drainage ditch.l it is desirable to excavate as much matcrial as possible during each cycle ofthe machine` and hence in such work scoops having a width of (i0 in. or more are frequently cmployed. As machines of the indicated type are. generally owned by contractors, who usually desire to be in avposlion to undertake anykind of an excavating job, it is distinctly :ulvantagcous for the manufacturer to otter a coi'uplcte liuc ol scoops ot widths ranging say bctu'ecn l5 in. and 7() in., the maximum width used being determined b v thc power and ballast limitations of the. machine which is to handle the scoop. Both for economy of investment bv thcrcontractor and for economy of manufacture, the present invention makes it possible to secure any scoop within the selected range of scoo widths for attachment to a commonly suitable ditcher stick, without modification of the ditcher stick or the use of any special detachable parts peculiar to any size of scoop. While making possible the attachment of scoops of' varying widths to a standardized'ditcher stick, the 1nventionin sures a rigid connection between'the stick and the selected scoop, even under the heavy reversing stresses set up during excavation.

Referring more specifically tothe drawings, there is shown the upper end of a boom 10 which is pivotally connected as at 11 to a ditcher stick 12. At the upper end of the ditcher stick a yoke 13 carries a sheave 14, about which a power line passes (not shown), while at the lower end of the ditcher stick is the scoop 15, secured in a manner to be presentl described.l A hauling bail 16 is pivoted to tje scoop and a power line (not shown) connected to the haulinor bail is operated synchronously with or independently of the power line Whichvpasses around sheave 14, causing the scoop to move through the ma terial to be excavated.

The scoop is of the bottom dumping typo having sides 17, a bottom18 pivoted as at 19 and an end plate 20 carrying a latch 21 for the bottom. Excavating` teeth 22, 23 are atthe forward or open-end of the scoop So as to facilitate penetration of the material to be excavated. The scoop is also claimed in my copending applications Serial Nos. 111,002, 151,350 and 158,739, the lastnamed application being directed particularly to the side rake teeth 23.

In excavating any material, the parts connecting the scoop and ditcher stick are sub jected to severe stresses. Because of the inhcrent liability of play incident to the use -9 of bolts subjected to loads in shear,` it is highly desirable to employ-attaching bolts subjected to tension only as meansto'prevcnt play between the scoop and stick under the reversing stresses. Especiallv is this desirable if the scoop is to be used in excavating in rocky `ground where it will be subjected to exceptionallv severe reversing stresses.

In the specific embodiment of the invention the scoop has a bail 24 permanently secured to the sides 17 and extending transversely across the scoop above the top ot the same. Preferably the transverse portion of the bail is substantially flat,- as shown. vTo transmit the downward thrust of the stick on the scoop so far as possible through the vertical legs of the bail, the stick has an enlar ed base or foot beneath which the bail is designed to be secured by means to be described. To prevent possible buckling of the bail under stresses imposed by the stick, one or more angle plates 25 are secured above the bail so as to extend for substantially the entire width of the scoop. If two angle plates are employed, as shown, they are arranged so that two opposedlegs are vertical and are spaced apart a sufficient distance to receive the end of the ditcher stick, while the horizontal legs or webs of the angle lates are juxtaposed one'above the other. rimarily to prevent undue vibration of the end wall 20 of the scoop, one or more end wall braces 26 are secured to the end walland to one of thel angle plates as best shown inFig. 2. These braeesare claimed in my copending application Serial No. 151,350.

The ditcher stick is preferably made of two channels or other structural steel members permanently secured together .and spaced somewhat apart, as shown. At the lower end of the ditcher stick a large foot or base is provided by means of a plurality of angular foot members 27, said angular foot members preferably being secured both inside and outside of each of the channels. These angular foot members are of such width that they may be received within the channel provided by the angle plates 25 and the horizontal legs of the foot members extend over the upper surface of the horizontal leg of the upper angle plate. To permit temporary but rigid connection between the bail and the ditcher stick, bolt holes are drilled through the bail, the angle plates and the horizontal legs ot the foot members, and bolts 2S are passed through. these holes to Vconnect the arts together. The bolts 28 are parallel to t e longitudinal axis of the ditcher stick. It will be obvious that the bolts are quite accessible and therefore easily removed when it is desired to demount a scoop. Because of the peculiar construction and arrangement of the parts described, the bolts 28 are not subjected to shearing stresses during use of the scoop in excavating and therefore no play develops between the scoop and the stick even when the scoop is used under exceptionally severe-conditions.

Further to strengthen the connection between the scoop and the ditchcr stick, one or more scoop braces 29 are used. T hese scoop braces are permanently secured at` their upper ends to a midpoint of the ditcher stick and are bolted to the end plate of the scoop so as to form a triangular truss with the scoop and ditcher stick. To provide a footing ot adequate strength for the scoop braces, a shoulder member 30 is-ri'veted to the outside of the end plate 20 near the top of the scoop. Vhere two scoop braces are used, a forged or cast one or more clamping bolts 33 may be ern-4 ployed to draw together the intermediate portions of the vertical legs or flanges ofthe angle plates 25. Such a bolt or bolts in con- Junction with the base of the-stick, also pre' vent buckling of the vertical legs, especially when each bolt is surrounded by a spacer tube A 34, which is gripped securely between the verticallegs. The number ofbolts 33 to bc used Will depend on the width of the scoop,4

to which the length of the angle plates are'v directly proportioned. y

It will be clear that neither the bolts 28, which secure the bail to the diteher stick, nor the bolts 32 which secure the scoo braces 29 to the scoop, are subjected to shearlng stresses during excavation. The parts are so designed and arranged that the only elements subjected to shearing stresses are rivets, which are of sufficient number and of adequate strength to resist said stresses. In short, all bolts relied upon for securing the' parts are arranged so as to be parallel to the direction of the stresses which fall upon them. The practical result is that the scoop does not become loose on the stick, which is highly advantageous especially in hard digging or when using the scoop to break shale and rock by a series of maul-like blows.'

Obviously the present invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment thereof herein shown and described. Moreover, it is4 not indispensable that all the 'features of the invention'be used conjointly since they may be employed advantageously in various combinations and subeombinations.

What is claimed is:

1. An assembly of the class described comprising, in combination, a diteher stick; an excavating scoop having a bail extending transversely across the open top and secured to the sides ofthe scoop; a pair-of angle plates secured to the bail; and a rigid and enlarged footing secured to the ditcher stick; said footing being removably secured to and above the angle plates on the bail.

2. An assembly of the class described comprising, in combination, a ditcher stick; an excavating scoop having a bail extending transversely across the open top and permanently Isecured to the sides of the scoop; an angle plate secured to the bail, and construct ed and arranged to conform to the shape of and extend over the upper end of the bail CTI and to distribute the thrust from the stick over the major part of said upper end; and removable fastening elements for securing the bail and stick together while permitting detachment of the scoop when desired.

3. An assembly of the class described comprising, in combination, a ditcher stick; an excavating scoop having a bail extending transversely across the open top and secured to the sides of the scoop; a pair of angle plates on the bail and so arranged that two opposed webs form a channel to receive the stick, and the other two webs are juxtaposed, one above the other, and permanently secured tothe bail; the two juxtaposed webs having approximately the width and length of the transverse portion of the bail; and bolts removably securing the bail and stick together; the construction permitting the transmission of the downward stresses imposed by the stick directly through the bail to the scpop without shearing stresses imposed on the attaching bolts.

4. An assembly of the class decribed comprising, in combination, a ditcher stick: an excavating scoop having a bail extending transversely across the open top and permanently secured to the sides of the scoop; a pair of angle plates extending along the transverse portion of the bail and so arranged that two Webs of the angle plates are juxtaposed, one above the other, and permanently secured to the bail; bolts for connecting the angle plates and bail to the stick; the construct-ion permitting the transmission of the downward stresses imposed by the stick directly through the bail to the scoop without shearing stresses imposed on the attaching bolts.

5.. An assembly of the class described comprising, in combination, a ditcher stick: an excavating scoop having a bail extending transversely across the open top and secured to the sides of the scoop; a pair of angle plates secured to the bail and so arranged that two webs ai'c juxtaposed, one above the other, and permanently secured to the bail; foot members permanently fastened to the stick at its end; bolts for connecting the stick to the bail by means of said foot members; the construction permitt ing the transmission ofthe down ward stresses imposed by thc stick directly through the bail to the scoop without shearing stresses imposed on the attaching bolts.

6. An assembly ot the class described comprising, in combinar' ion, a ditcher stick; an excavating scoop having a. bail extending transversely across the open top and permanently secured to the Afides of the scoop: a pair ot angle plates on the bail and so arranged that two webs of the angle plates together form a channel to receive the end ot the stick, and the other two wel-s vlire juxtaposed, one above the other, and permanently secured to the bail; the two juxtaposed webs having approximately the Width and length of the transverse portion of the bail; foot members permanently fastened to the stick at its end to facilitate a rigid connection between the stick and bail; the construction permitting the transmission of the downward stresses imposed by the stick directly through the bail to the scoop without shearing stresses imposed on the attaching bolts.

7. An assembly of the class described comprising, in combination, a ditcher stick; an excavating scoop having a bail extending transversely across the open top and secured to the sides of the scoop; a pair of angle plates on the bail and so arranged that a channel is provided to receive the ditcher stick; two webs of said angle plates being juxtaposed, one above the other, and permanently secured to the bail; right angular foot members permanently secured to the stick on each side thereof at its end and each having a leg to extend over and lie on the web of the uppermost angle plate; bolts substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stick for connecting .the stick and scoop together and passing through the foot members, thc two webs and the bail; the construction permitting the transmission of the downward stresses imposed by the stick directly through the bail to the scoop without shearing stresses imposed on the attaching bolts.

8. An assembly ot the class described comprising, in combination, a ditcher stick comprising two spaced, parallel structural steel members permanently secured together; right angular foot members secured to the inside and outside of each of the parallel members at the lower end ofV the stick; a scoop; an angle plate extending at right angles to and above the scoop and secured thereto and abutting the lower end of the stick; and means passing through the toot members for removably connecting the scoop with said stick. so that no shearing Stresses are. imposed on said connecting means during use of the scoop.

9. An assembly of the class described comprising,in combination, a ditcher stick comprising two spaced, parallel channel members permanentlyv secured together; right angular foot members secured to the inside and outside of each ot' the channel members at the lower end of the stick; an excavator scoop having a bail; a pair of angle plates secured to the bail and so arranged. when the parts are assembled. that one web ot each angle plate is adjacent to but outside of the stick, and the other two webs are juxtaposed. one above the other, and permanently sceured to the bail; and bolts connes-ting the scoop by means of its bail with the toot menibcrs; the construction permitting the trans mission of the downward stresses imposed by the stick directly through the bail to the scoop without shearing stresses being 1mposed on the attaching bolts.

10. An assembly of the class described comprising in combination, a ditcher stick; a removable excavator scoop; and connecting means therefor interposed between the lower end of the ditcher stick and the scoop and located well above the top of the scoop and so constructed and arranged that a few bolts, forming a part 'of said connecting means and subjected to tension only, are adequate to prevent play between the connected parts under the reversing stresses set up during excavation; said bolts being the only parts which need to be removed to permit detaching of the scoo 11i.) An assembly of the class described comprising, in combination, a ditcher Stick; an excavator scoop; a. bail rigidly secured to the scoop and connecting means for the stick and scoop including an enlarged foot or base for the stick; a rigid reinforcement for the bail serving to brace the bail against buckling' and to prevent play of the scoop relative to the stick; and fastening elements passing between the enlarged foot of the stick and the reinforced part of the bail.

12. An assembly7 of the class described comprising, in combination, a scoop; a ditcher stick composed of two spaced, parallel members rigidly secured together; a channel-like structure composed of members permanently secured to and above the scoop to provide a recess in which the end of the stick fits; and

a clamping bolt extending between the sides of the channel-like structure and gripping the end of the stick, thus preventing abrasion between the stick and the floor of the channel.

13. An assembly of the class described comprising, in combination, a ditcher stick composed of two spaced, parallel members permanently secured together; a scoop; a pair of angles rigidlv secured to and above the scoop and also secured to each other` and having two upstanding flanges or Webs forming a channel in which the end of the stick fits; and a clamping bolt extending between said flanges or webs and gripping the end of the stick, thus preventing abrasion between the stick and the floor of the channel.

1t, An assembly of the class described comprising, in combination, a ditcher stick; an enlarged foot or base permanently secured to the stick; a scoop: a structure secured to and above the scoop and forming a channel to receive the end of the stick; a clamping bolt extending between the sides of the channel and gripping the end of the stick, thus preventing abrasion between the stick and the floor of the channel: and a spacer tube surrounding the clamping bolt and extending between the sides of the channel to resist buckling of said base.

15. An assembly of the class described coinprising, in combination, a ditcher stick; a scoop; a bail rigidly connected to the sides of the scoop and extending transverselyover the top of the scoop and having a pair of flanges secured thereto and arranged so that a recess is provided for the end of the ditcher stick; bolts parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stick for uniting the stick and scoop by means of said bail; said bolts being relieved of shearin stresses arising from ex cavation by the anges which bear against opposite sides of the stick.

16. An excavator scoop comprising, in combination, a scoop body; a bail rigidly connected to the sides of the body and extending transversely over the top of the scoop; a pair of angle plates both secured to the bail above the transverse portion of the same to reinforce a'nd prevent buckling of the bail; and a brace secured to the upper part of the end wall of the scoop and also to one of the flanges of the angle plates and forming a genrally triangular truss with the scoop and ail.

17. An excavator scoop comprising, in combination, a scoop body; a bail rigidly connected to the sides of the body and extending transversely over the top of the scoop; a pair of angle plates both secured to the bail above the transverse portion of the same to reinforce and prevent buckling of the bail; scoopbracing means; and a shoulder secured to the end wall of the scoop to provide means for connecting the scoop bracing means with the scoop-supporting sti'ucture.

An assembly of the class described comprising, in combination, a ditcher stick; a scoop; means for removably fastening the scoop upon the lower end of the ditcher stick; a scoop brace permanently secured to the ditcher stick at an intermediate point thereof; a shoulder on the end wall of the scoop; a foot member permanently secured to the end of the scoop brace; and means passing `through the foot member and the shoulder for removably fastening the scoop brace to the scoop.

An assembly of the class described comprising, in combination, a ditcher stick; a scoop; connecting parts therefor; bolts for removably fastening the scoop on the end of the ditcher stick; a scoop brace carried by the ditcher stick: connecting parts for the scoop brace and the scoop; and bolts for removably fastening the scoop brace and scoop; each set of bolts extending substantially parallel to the part which is connected thereby to the scoop and being subjected to no shearing stresses when the scoop is iii use.

Q0. In combination, a standardized ditcher stick having a base or foot which is enlarged to transniit power; a set of excavating scoops of different widths to excavate trenches and the like; each scoop of said set having a recess of proper dimensions to receive the enllt) larged base or foot of the standardized ditcher stick; and removable fastening elements to hold one of the scoops upon the stick.

21. In combination, a standardized ditcher stick; a set of excavating scoops of different widths; and bolts for connecting any one of name to this specication.

ROBERT REX DOWN IE. 

